empty
14.12.2023 07:01 AM
Fed gives green light: Dow Jones breaks records

This image is no longer relevant

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) announced that it is unlikely to further increase the interest rate. This decision by the Fed contributed to the growth of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which reached its first record high since January 2022. Additionally, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes each grew by 1.4%. The increase in the indexes is attributed to the end of the Fed's interest rate hike policy and predictions of lower borrowing costs by 2024.

The Fed kept the interest rates unchanged and forecasts a reduction by the end of 2024. These developments led to a surge in stock values following a statement by Fed Chair Jerome Powell about the unlikelihood of further rate increases.

Since March 2022, the Fed has raised the benchmark rate by 525 basis points to control inflation. According to Tom Martin of Globalt Investments, the current statement from the Fed indicates that inflation is expected to return to normal levels without the risk of recession.

The growth of the Dow Jones Index confirms that it has been in a bullish market since September 2022, following a drop of more than 20%.

All major sectors of the S&P 500 index showed growth during the day's rally. The real estate and utilities sectors, sensitive to interest rates, each grew by more than 3%, leading the sector's growth. The Russell 2000 index, covering small-cap companies, also rose by 3.5%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 512.3 points (1.4%), reaching 37,090.24. The S&P 500 added 63.39 points (1.37%), climbing to 4,707.09, while the Nasdaq Composite increased by 200.57 points (1.38%), reaching 14,733.96.

Among the Dow Jones index companies, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc showed the most significant growth, increasing by 7.41%, Home Depot Inc rose by 3.13%, and Dow Inc grew by 3.01%.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes reached new annual closing highs. Since the beginning of the year, the S&P 500 has grown by 22.6%, the Nasdaq by 40.7%, and the Dow by 11.9%.

Leading the growth in the S&P 500 index were Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, which increased by 13.23%, Revvity Inc, up by 10.33%, and Zions Bancorporation, rising by 9.68%.

Stock prices have been rising for several weeks on expectations that the Fed would end rate hikes and begin lowering them next year.

According to Fedwatch LSEG, after the Fed's statement, the probability of a rate cut in May increased to 90% compared to 80% before the announcement.

Earlier that day, data showed that producer prices in the U.S. in November remained unchanged due to lower energy prices. Consumer prices in the U.S. unexpectedly increased in November as the reduction in gasoline prices was more than offset by higher rent costs.

Contrary to the day's trend, Pfizer shares fell by 6.7% after the drug manufacturer predicted lower-than-expected Wall Street revenues for 2024.

Trading volume on U.S. exchanges reached 14.35 billion shares, above the 20-day average of 11.04 billion.

On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a ratio of 7.01 to 1; on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 3.18 to 1 in favor of advancers.

The S&P 500 recorded 89 new 52-week highs and 1 new low; the Nasdaq Composite posted 195 new highs and 147 new lows.

The CBOE Volatility Index, based on S&P 500 option trades, rose by 0.99% to 12.19.

Gold futures for February delivery rose by 2.41%, reaching $2,000 per troy ounce. WTI crude futures for January delivery increased by 1.73%, to $69.80 per barrel. Brent crude futures for February delivery rose by 1.88%, to $74.62 per barrel.

On the forex market, the EUR/USD pair rose by 0.81% to 1.09, while the USD/JPY fell by 1.67% to 142.99.

The U.S. dollar index futures fell by 0.91% to 102.52.

Thomas Frank,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for April 18

Donald Trump ratcheted up his criticism against Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, once again calling for an immediate interest rate cut. This renewed political pressure adds to the tensions surrounding

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:09 2025-04-18 UTC+2

When Giants Fall: How Alphabet and UnitedHealth Decisions Hurt the Market

Trading on U.S. stock markets ended in disarray on Thursday, with positive news from tech giants and pharma companies colliding with interest rate concerns. Market participants wavered between hopes

Thomas Frank 11:56 2025-04-18 UTC+2

Powell in danger? Can Trump fire Fed Chair and what does that mean for markets?

Donald Trump has once again set his sights on the Federal Reserve, accusing its chairman Jerome Powell of failing in monetary policy and threatening to fire him. But what lies

Аlena Ivannitskaya 08:43 2025-04-18 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 17

Jerome Powell's latest remarks triggered a sharp sell-off in US equities. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq posted notable losses after the Fed chairman said that interest rates

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:21 2025-04-17 UTC+2

When it all went wrong: Nvidia under pressure, stocks fall, Powell waits for clarity

Powell says economy slowing in Q1, may wait for more clarity European stocks slip ahead of ECB policy decision Nvidia warns of blame over US chip export restrictions to China

Thomas Frank 10:27 2025-04-17 UTC+2

US stock market in red zone: Dow Jones – 0.4%, Nasdaq – 0.1%. Upbeat corporate reports do not save Wall Street

The US stock market closed Tuesday with minor losses, as uncertainty over trade duties continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Consumer and healthcare stocks were particularly affected, though strong earnings

11:38 2025-04-16 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 16

Wall Street ended the session in the red. Shares of giants Boeing and Johnson & Johnson took the biggest hit as uncertainty around tariff policy continues to weigh on investor

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:12 2025-04-16 UTC+2

Markets in the Red: Dow -0.4%, Nasdaq -0.1% as Strong Reports Fail to Save Wall Street

Bank of America Gains After Higher Q1 Earnings Uncertainty Over Tariff Outlook Still High Markets Ripple on U.S.-China Debate Indices: Dow Down 0.4%, S&P 500 Down 0.2%, Nasdaq Down 0.1%

Thomas Frank 07:54 2025-04-16 UTC+2

Apple soars. Stock investors alert to Netflix' report

US stocks are printing modest gains as tariffs on some electronic goods have been delayed. Tech stocks are outperforming European and Asian counterparts, with Apple shares jumping. Goldman Sachs

11:42 2025-04-15 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for April 15

The Trump administration has made concessions: tariffs on electronics have been temporarily lifted, and looser conditions for the auto industry are under consideration. These moves triggered a positive reaction —

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:29 2025-04-15 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.